The Citizen Hotel (att. Heathcliff)

Mariel parked her car in the underground parking garage, and looked around for hidden minions and Circe's crap-for-van. She parked as far away from the elevator up as she could; hopefully Circe wouldn't see the little sportscar.

Maybe Circe thought she'd taken care of the situation, though, and wouldn't bother Mariel again. Sure hope so.

She didn't just try....let me show you. Mariel pulls Heathcliff over to show him the car with its hood smashed in.

Mariel feels a little nervous. Come on, let's get out of here. This place gives me the creeps. She looks longingly at the elevator.

Mariel is relieved to be headed upstairs, and she is very aware of Heathcliff's hand lightly touching her back. She smiles to herself. She pushes the Lobby button, and they get out on the first floor.

We'll walk the rest of the way, she tells Heathcliff before they get out. Fewer surveillance cams.

The lobby is beautiful, fully restored from it's 1920's-era glory. Mariel tries hard to act cool and casual as they ascend the stairs to her second-floor room. She fumbles in her handbag for the keycard.

Heathcliff takes in the ambience of the renovated hotel. "It's a charming place," he remarks, and he continues scanning the hallway as Mariel looks for her keycard.

Ok, here we are. Home sweet temporary home! The room is deluxe and has a single king size bed, a small desk with wireless internet access, tv, small chest of drawers. All the furniture is vintage 1920's- solid deco-style wood furniture. There is a small table with two chairs, and a surprisingly large bathroom. Mariel has brought another bag up from the trunk of her car, and she hangs up a garment bag. Do you mind if I change into something more appropriate? she asks.

"Not at all," Heathcliff says, grinning from ear to ear. He takes a seat at the table while he waits for her, and looks about the room. It's very tasteful.

Just to be a tease, Mariel takes her bag with her to the bathroom and almost closes the door, leaving it open just a crack. She re-emerges in a spaghetti-strap sleep top and pants in a pretty sage green. She's not wearing a bra under the top, very intentionally. Ok, so how does this work? she asks. Have you ever taught anyone before?

Wow is all Heathcliff can think, and it takes him a moment to recover. "Uhh..no, you'll be my first student. I should tell you now that you won't learn to hide your Beast tonight. That comes after you've mastered the first lesson- how to hide an object. My sire told me that those with a talent for theiving are better at this part, which I unfortunately do not possess. However, my ability is sufficient to demonstrate it for you, and teach you the principle behind it." He nervously waits to see how she reacts to the bad news.

Oh. Well. Mariel is disappointed. Baby steps, though, right? I'm game if you are, she says, sitting cross-legged on the big bed.

Oh yes, Mariel purrs. I'm ready. Do it!

Mariel licks the wound closed on Heathcliff's wrist, taking more than enough time to do the job, just to amp him up even further. She is enjoying playing with him this way. She looks up at him, licks her lips clean and smiles.

Hmmm...I get a sense of what I need to do with my own blood. Interesting.

Spoiler:

Mariel smirks. You're sure you don't want to just hold it in your hand? she teased.

Mariel smiles, gets up from the bed, and puts one hand on Heathcliff's lower back. With her other hand she wriggles her hand into Heathcliff's right pants packet. Errr, pocket.

She explores the pocket and finds only lint.

Nope, nothing there. She arches an eyebrow at Heathcliff. Was this just a ploy to get me in your pants?, Mariel giggles.

Mariel says slyly, Well, of course I can't pay in full, since you haven't taught me everything that I wanted to learn...but you've made excellent progress, and I think you should be rewarded for that, don't you?

She kneels in front of him , reaches for Heathcliff's zipper, and looks up at him with her pixie-like face. Would this be agreeable in the meantime?

Or maybe you'd rather see me feed? she smiles wickedly. I have the cutest little Catholic schoolgirl outfit...

"Yes," Heathcliff says hoarsely, unable to contain his excitement. "I'll watch you feed." He sits back in his chair.[/color]

Alright then! Mariel rises.

First, are there any fetish clubs or bars in town? she asks, knowing that she can always check with the concierge if Heathcliff doesn't know.

Mariel looks at him. Yeah, right. It would be hard to get Heathcliff in, if not impossible.

I have an idea! she says brightly. Can you hide yourself like you did the button?

Well, said Mariel slowly, there IS another way I can get you in. Guaranteed.

Lord, please don't let this be a deal-breaker.

If I go to the club dressed as a dominatrix, you can be my pet. You'd have to wear a collar, and I'd hold the leash. You wouldn't be able to speak unless I give you permission, but you'll never leave my side, so you should have a good view.

If that doesn't burn the Vampire Mother Teresa image of me right out of his mind, I don't know what will.

Or should we just go back to Plan A? Mariel watches Heathcliff, hoping she didn't just throw away a perfectly good opportunity to improve her skillset in a new Kindred discipline.

I promise I won't make you crawl. You'll be sitting at my feet if I sit, though. Once we're in the club, that is, Mariel amends hastily.

I'm sad about the schoolgirl uniform, too, she says with a sympathetic smile. We'll save it for some other time. If you're good! ,she teases.

[OOC: Continued on New Twilight Valley, Requiem Mood post]